Illustration // the Coptic Egyptian Mermaid, Umm Shusha

My Piscean-inspired representation of the original Coptic Christian and pagan design. Utilizing Coptic iconography and the original and ancient print of Umm Shusha and celestial images from Razzouk Tattoo in Jerusalem. She is known as the Bride of the Nile, and since the Nile floods and receeds with the time of year, it was fitting to illustrate her with images of celestial activity. In this image, I illustrated her with a safflower bud, as it was a very important and holy crop in ancient & Coptic Egypt.

Legend has it: she sits by the river or canal, combing her hair. She lures young men into the water and strangles them with her long hair; occasionally taking them to her underwater palace. There's even a celebration having to do with her that's practiced to this day!⠀
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I write more on Umm Shusha, the Nile celebration of عيد وفاء النيل‎ ("Wafaa Al Nil") and how her influence is still present here: https://www.moreauapothecary.com/the-journal/umm-shusha-the-mermaid-bride-of-the-nile